{"id":448282,"date":"2020-10-04T04:00:43","date_gmt":"2020-10-04T11:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=448282"},"modified":"2020-10-02T12:28:00","modified_gmt":"2020-10-02T19:28:00","slug":"swimming-world-presents-athens-2004-how-the-south-african-mens-team-shocked-the-world-with-a-400-free-relay-world-record","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/swimming-world-presents-athens-2004-how-the-south-african-mens-team-shocked-the-world-with-a-400-free-relay-world-record\/","title":{"rendered":"Swimming World Presents – Athens 2004: How the South African Men’s Team Shocked the World with a 400 Free Relay World Record"},"content":{"rendered":"

The latest issue of Swimming World Magazine<\/em><\/span>
\nis now available for download in the<\/span> Swimming World Vault<\/span><\/strong><\/a>!<\/p>\n

Non-Subscribers Can Download This Issue Here<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Defying All Odds<\/span><\/h1>\n
How the South African Men’s Team Shocked the World with a 400 Free Relay World Record at the 2004 Athens Olympics<\/span><\/h1>\n
By John Lohn<\/span><\/p>\n
There is no doubt that the Summer of 2004 remains the defining moment in South African swimming history. That\u2019s when Roland Schoeman, Lyndon Ferns, Darian Townsend and Ryk Neethling shocked the world with their Olympic gold medal and world record-setting performance in the men\u2019s 400 meter freestyle relay in Athens.<\/strong><\/p>\n
As they walked to the blocks, there was a sense something special was about to unfold. They knew their moment was imminent, a mere three-plus minutes from coming to fruition. Never mind that a trawl through the past declared them to be an underdog. This foursome had a business appointment with history.<\/p>\n
Prior to the 2004 Games in Athens, the 400 meter freestyle relay had been contested on eight occasions in Olympic competition. The first seven times the race was held, the United States captured the gold medal. In 2000, with the Games set in Sydney, Australia used its home-pool advantage\u2014and a raucous crowd of 17,000 supporters\u2014to put an end to the American streak.<\/p>\n
As the Games neared its return to Greece for the first time since the inaugural modern Olympics in 1896\u2014also in Athens\u2014the United States held favorite status, with Swimming World predicting the Americans to finish ahead of Italy. The Aussies were picked to finish fourth, although a caveat noted that if certain injuries healed\u2014notably the back and shoulder of Michael Klim\u2014Australia would certainly factor into the medals chase.<\/p>\n
Predicted to earn the bronze medal was South Africa. Boasting a squad powered by internationally experienced veterans Roland Schoeman and Ryk Neethling, South Africa certainly belonged in the medals discussion. But the leap from a lower step on the podium to the top is far from easy, and nothing could go wrong for the South Africans if they were to pull off an upset on the second night of action.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we got closer to Athens, we knew that if every swimmer did what they were capable of doing, then we would be close to a world record,\u201d Neethling said. \u201cWhoever beats us would have to be at their absolute best. We never once spoke about medals. Just focusing on the process took a lot of pressure off us at the time.\u201d<\/p>\n
The status of minor-medal contender might have been the prevailing prediction for South Africa in the 400 free relay in Athens. In the minds of Schoeman and Neethling, though, the gold medal was within reach. The confidence of the team\u2019s veterans permeated to Lyndon Ferns and Darian Townsend. Given the pressure-filled atmosphere of every Olympiad, having the junior members of the squad envision the ultimate result\u2014and believe in its attainability\u2014was imperative.<\/p>\n
The fact that South Africa remained optimistic about its hopes was a testament to the inner confidence possessed by the team\u2019s members. At the 2003 World Championships, South Africa\u2014using the same squad it brought to Athens\u2014finished eighth in the final of the 400 freestyle relay! The team was more than four seconds off the pace set by Russia and finished nearly two seconds behind seventh-place Canada. It was not an effort reflective of the team\u2019s potential, and that shortcoming percolated for the months ahead.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was painful and embarrassing,\u201d Neethling said of the World Champs finish. \u201cWe knew that we had the manpower to be more competitive, but we couldn\u2019t put it together. We had our excuses ready: no money….no sponsors…no coaches with us\u2014the usual South African struggles. We had to put the excuses behind us.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom Barcelona, it was all about supporting each other, knowing full well that we still had to race individually, but we believed that we could achieve a lot more as a team than as individuals. This wasn\u2019t just lip service or feel-good mumbo jumbo. We really lived this daily, and we encouraged each other in every session. We truly became like brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
To read the complete story of South Africa’s World Record-setting men’s 400 free relay team,<\/a><\/strong><\/span>
\n Check out the full article in Swimming World’s October 2020 issue, available now!<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
$\"SW$ <\/a>[PHOTO CREDIT: BECCA WYANT\/FINIS, INC. PHOTOGRAPHY]<\/p>\n
Get Swimming World Magazine<\/em> and Swimming World Biweekly<\/em> FREE When You<\/span>
\nBecome A Member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/h3>\n
New! 30 Day Membership to ISHOF AND<\/em> Digital Swimming World Subscription for just $10 a month!<\/a><\/span><\/h3>\nWant more? Get a 1 Year ISHOF Family Membership With Swimming World Print AND<\/em> Digital Subscription<\/span> Order Now!<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/h3>\nNon-Subscribers can click here to download this issue for only $5.94<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/h2>\n

\nSwimming World Magazine October 2020 Issue<\/span><\/h2>\n
FEATURES<\/p>\n
012<\/span> WORKING FOR CHANGE<\/strong><\/span>
\nby David Rieder<\/strong>
\nIn response to the Black Lives Matter movement, elite swimmers Lia Neal and Jacob Pebley created Swimmers for Change to promote diversity and to make swimming a more inclusive sport and a more inclusive community.<\/p>\n
020<\/span> THE TROUBLE WITH SPRINTERS (Part 4): REVISITING THE CAREER OF GARY HALL JR.<\/strong><\/span>
\nby Bruce Wigo<\/strong>
\nAs Dave Marsh and Mike Bottom explained in the previous issue, if there is a problem with sprinters, it is because, mentally, they are wired differently from other athletes. Potential trouble then seems to start when coaches and administrators are unable to understand their behavior and their needs. But while causing trouble for some, the aquatic sports world would not be where it is today without the rebellious personalities of sprinters.<\/p>\n
026<\/span> DEFYING ALL ODDS<\/strong><\/span>
\nby John Lohn<\/strong>
\nThere is no doubt that the Summer of 2004 remains the defining moment in South African swimming history. That\u2019s when Roland Schoeman, Lyndon Ferns, Darian Townsend and Ryk Neethling shocked the world with their Olympic gold medal and world record-setting performance in the men\u2019s 400 meter freestyle relay in Athens.<\/p>\n
COACHING<\/p>\n
010<\/span> PLAN B: WHEN BEST-LAID PLANS GO AWRY<\/strong><\/span>
\nby Michael J. Stott<\/strong>
\nBolstering swimmers\u2014in sickness and health\u2014is part and parcel of a coach\u2019s job. When done right, everybody wins.<\/p>\n
038<\/span> SWIMMING TECHNIQUE CONCEPTS: DR. ANDERS ERICSSON\u2019S CONCEPT OF DELIBERATE PRACTICE<\/strong><\/span>
\nby Rod Havriluk<\/strong>
\nDr. Anders Ericsson left a vital legacy for athletes striving to become experts. His deliberate practice concept specifies the key components that help athletes progress to an expert level. The success of deliberate practice suggests that a coach prioritize deliberate practice strategies in team training and relegate conditioning to secondary importance.<\/p>\n
040<\/span> SPECIAL SETS: MICHAEL PHELPS\u2014FROM GOOD TO GREAT<\/strong><\/span>
\nby Michael J. Stott<\/strong>
\nThe sets included in this article are taken from the 2001-02 short course and early long course season. They are a representative sample of Coach Bob Bowman\u2019s early program in developing Michael Phelps as the greatest Olympic swimmer of all time.<\/p>\n
043<\/span> Q&A WITH COACH DAN\u2019L MURRAY<\/strong><\/span>
\nby Michael J. Stott<\/strong><\/p>\n
044<\/span> HOW THEY TRAIN EMANUEL FAVA<\/strong><\/span>
\nby Michael J. Stott<\/strong><\/p>\n
TRAINING<\/p>\n
030<\/span> DRYSIDE TRAINING: NO SEASON, NO RACING…NOW WHAT?<\/strong><\/span>
\nby J.R. Rosania<\/strong>
\nThis pandemic has shut down our competition calendar. Whether it\u2019s a high school, college, professional or Olympic season, we need to perform exercises that will help us stay strong, fast and explosive.<\/p>\n
JUNIOR SWIMMER<\/p>\n
046<\/span> UP & COMERS: EMILY WAY<\/strong><\/span>
\nby Shoshanna Rutemiller<\/strong><\/p>\n
COLUMNS & SPECIAL SECTIONS<\/p>\n
008<\/span> A VOICE FOR THE SPORT<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
015<\/span> HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
023<\/span> DID YOU KNOW? MARY HOERGER<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
031<\/span> PREP SCHOOL DIRECTORY<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
042<\/span> HASTY HIGH POINTERS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
047<\/span> GUTTERTALK<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
049<\/span> PARTING SHOT<\/strong><\/span>
\nSwimming World is now partnered with the International Swimming Hall of Fame. To find out more, visit us at ishof.org<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The latest issue of Swimming World Magazine is now available for download in the Swimming World Vault! Non-Subscribers Can Download This Issue Here Defying All Odds How the South African<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5977,"featured_media":448283,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"dois","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3,16],"tags":[67624,26255,39216,110014,3074,3119,54417,125401],"class_list":["post-448282","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-swimming-world-magazine","tag-2004-athens-olympics","tag-darian-townsend","tag-lyndon-ferns","tag-mens-400-free-relay","tag-roland-schoeman","tag-ryk-neethling","tag-swimming-world-magazine","tag-swimming-world-october-2020"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"\r\nHow the 2004 South African Men's 400 Free Relay Team Shocked the World<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Athens 2004 remains the defining moment in South African swimming history. 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